ROTTMAN ON TRIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 34, 11 February 1915, Page 5

ROTTMAN ON TRIAL.

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

THE OPENING PROCEEDINGS AT

WANGANUI.

Per Press Association

Wanganui, February 11

A great deal of interest was manifested at the Supreme Court this morning when Arthur Rottmanii, charged with the murder, at Iluahine, on December 28th, of Joseph McCann, Lucy Mary McCann, and John Joseph McCann.

Accused pleaded “not guilty,” and was defended by Mr C. E. Mackay.

Accused is apparently between 21 and 25 years of age, and is an intelli-gent-looking German by birth, but not a naturalised British subject.

In opening the case, Crown Prosecutor Marshall said it was a subject for congratulation that with an increasing population in this district, few crimes of this nature had occurred here. He had been Crown Prosecutor for many years, and this was the first time he had to address a jury on a crime of this sort. If the evidence showed the accused man was innocent, it would be gratifying to all, but, on the other hand, an atrocious murder had been committed, by which three persons had lost their lives, and if the murder was sheeted home to accused, lie asked the jury to do its duty and return a verdict of guilty. McCann was about 36 years of age, his wife 34, and child four months. The first witness was Roberts (a surveyor), who explained the plan of the locality, after which

Herbert Sweet (farmer), of Ruahine, was called. He said McCann had promised to help witness with his sheep on Monday, but be did not come.

William Neil (labourer), of Ruahine, said on Boxing Day he , met accused riding one of McCann's horses, and they went to Rangiwahia together, and had a good many drinks during the day, and accused was drunk during the afternoon and sobered at nighlt on the way home. They had a conversation about the McCann and accused said McCann was a good fellow, but he did not like his wife, who drank too much whisky. Accused did not want to go home to McCann’s that night, fearing a row with McCann, and rode with witness to the latter’s .father’s place, but finally accused left there about midnight on the Sunday morning. Witness saw McCann at the factory delivering his milk himself.